Prof Yunus-Modi meeting under consideration: Indian foreign minister

India is considering holding a meeting between Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said Saturday, Indian media outlets reported.

However, he did not confirm Modi’s visit to Bangkok during the 2-4 April BIMSTEC summit, saying the premier “may make the trip,” reported India’s Business Standard and Deccan Herald.

At this year's first meeting of India’s Parliamentary Consultative Committee for External Affairs, Jaishankar briefed Indian lawmakers about New Delhi’s ties with its neighbours Bangladesh, Myanmar, Maldives and Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh remained the main topic of discussion with almost all the lawmakers engaging on the issue.

Several MPs raised “concerns” on attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, much of which are rumours, asking what steps was India taking in this regard, sources said.

Indian media sources said Jaishankar informed the members that the interim government in Dhaka has claimed that the attacks on Hindus were "politically motivated" and not "minority targeted".

Jaishankar said the Indian government was engaged with the Prof Yunus-led interim government at various levels and the issue has been raised.

Jaishankar was also learnt to have told the meeting that SAARC was inactive because of Pakistan's approach and thus India is trying to strengthen BIMSTEC (The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation).